Method for joining submerged structures

ABSTRACT

The disclosure teaches a novel method for coupling submerged structural elements, and apparatus for carrying out the method. In accordance with the invention, the ends of the elements to be coupled carry a camming arrangement for locating and engaging the elements relative to each other in position. The camming arrangement preferably comprises a cam and horn arrangement, and the horn is projectingly carried by one of the elements while the pan is mounted on the other element. Both cam and horn have thrust-receiving walls, and a jack is located in the horn to impart thrust to both thrust-receiving walls. In accordance with the invention, one element, which is already in place, carries the pan. The other element is lowered and positioned under water by means of a sinking complex. When the second element is close to the fixed element, divers can place the pan in engagement with the horn. Because of the camming action, the pan will fall into register with the horn. The jack is then actuated and acts to bring the elements together.

United States Patent 11 1 Olsen [451 Aug. 26, 1975 1 1 METHOD FORJOINING SUBMERGED STRUCTURES Kaare Ritter Olsen, 80 Selkirk Crescent,Hudson, Quebec, Canada June 24, 1974 [76] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.1 482,514

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Scr. No. 261,654, June12, 1972,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 61/43; 61/465; 285/18;

[51] Int. Cl. v. E02d 25/00; E0lg 3/00; Fl6b 3/00 [58] Field of Search61/43, 72.4, 46.5, 72.3; 403/263, 288, 321, 322; 285/18, 137 RMaunscll.... 61/43 Hccr ct a1. 14/27 Primary ExaminerJacob ShapiroAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Alan Swabey; Robert E.

Mitchell 5 7 ABSTRACT The disclosure teaches a novel method for couplingsubmerged structural elements, and apparatus for carrying out themethod. In accordance with the invention, the ends of the elements to becoupled carry a camming arrangement for locating and engaging theelements relative to each other in position. The camming arrangementpreferably comprises a cam and horn arrangement, and the horn isprojectingly carried by one of the elements while the pan is mounted onthe other element. Both cam and horn have thrustreceiving walls, and ajack is located in the horn to impart thrust to both thrust-receivingwalls.

In accordance with the invention, one element, which is alreadyirrplace, carries the pan. The other element is lowered and positionedunder water by means of a sinking complex. When the second element isclose to the fixed element, divers can place the pan in engagement withthe horn. Because of the camming action, the pan will fall into registerwith the horn. The jack is then actuated and acts to bring the elementstogether.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAUB2SIBTS 1 038 sum 2 BF 4 FIG. 3

METHOD FOR JOINING SUBMERGED STRUCTURES CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION This is a division of application Ser. No. 261,654, filedJune 12, 1972 and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This inventionrelates to placing tunnel elements by the float-and-sink method.

2. Description of the Prior Art In building submerged tunnels by thefloat-and-sink method, it has been normal practice to use anelementplacing complex made up of barges floating on the surface abovethe placement site. The elements are lowered by mechanical means. Aproblem has been to get the inboard end of the element being placed intoregister with the outward end of the placed element with which it is tobe coupled. This was especially difficult in the poor visibility ofmurky waters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an aim of the present invention toprovide an improved method and mechanism for sinking and coupling tunnelelements.

The present invention is based on a complete hydraulic system by whichan element is lowered and moved accurately into position for finalcoupling. The present system lends itself to central control from atower on one of the barges. Forces in the placing lines are readilyascertained by hydraulic pressure readings so that compensation can bemade for currents, wind velocity and other factors which affect theplacement of the elements.

In accordance with the invention, the tunnel element to be coupled to atunnel element already placed is suspended from cables extending fromits corners upwards to a floating complex which is usually made up offour barges and bridging trusses. The complex is connected by cablesextending diagonally from corner locations of the complex to buoys or todry land and axially extending cables from each end. The cables areconnected from the complex to an appropriate hydraulic mechanism.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tunnel element to beplaced is moved appropriately by moving the sinking complex so that theend of the element to be connected is brought into close proximity withthe end of the placed element. Then the end of the element being placedis cammed into substantial register under its own weight through theaction of cooperating camming members on the element being placed andthe placed element.

These camming members may take the form of horns projecting from the endof the element being placed on the element being placed forces theelements to still more intimate contact.

In another arrangement, the pans project from the ends of the elementbeing placed to mate with comple mentary horns at the end of the placedelement. The thrust-taking member is appropriately placed to accommodatethis type of arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus generally described theinvention, it will now be referred to in more detail by reference to theaccompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view illustrating a sinking complexaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary plan view looking down on theend of a pair of tunnel elements connected according to the invention,showing particularly the connecting mechanism in which the horn of oneelement is engaged in the pan of the other element;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-section along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the pan of the female connectingmember according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a bottom fragmentary plan view showing the construction of themating part of one of the horns of the invention;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged vertical cross-section through two elements, atthe ends thereof, as they are about to be abutted together; and

FIG. 8 is a greatly enlarged cross-section through the area ringed inFIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The element-sinking complex ismade up as follows. There are four barges A, B, C and D connectedtogether with cables 14 and 16. Sinking trusses E and F are carriedbetween the barges A, B and C, D. A control tower 15 is mounted on thebarge B. The movement of the complex on the surface is controlled bydiagonal lines 18 at one end of the complex, lines 20 at the other endof the complex, and lines 22 extending axially from each end of thecomplex. These lines are connected at one end to hydraulic mechanism onthe trusses E and F at the other end to buoys anchored in the water orconnected to the shore. By appropriate hydraulic manipulation, thecomplex can be moved in any direction.

The sinking complex is shown in the process of placing an outboardtunnel element G about to be connected to an already placed inboardtunnel element H.

The elements G and H are of composite steel and concrete constructionwell known in the art. Pairs of lifting cables 17 and 19 and 21 and 23ex tend from hydraulic lifting mechanisms 25 and 27, 29 and 31exdirection and can be tilted in any desired inclination. it is usual tomount flags on poles extending upwards from the corners of the elementwhich can be sighted by surveying methods from the shore. in thisway,the exact position and inclination of the element can be quiteaccurately ascertained and this information fed to the operators of thehydraulic mechanism on the complex.

101 represents a cluster of hydraulic service equipment includingelectrical generators, hydraulic pumps and reservoirs, and othermechanisms. This equipment provides all the hydraulic energy necessaryfor operating the entire complex. The cluster 101 is connected byhydraulic hoses to the numerous hydraulic control points as will be wellunderstood by one familiar with this type of equipment, these controlpoints being connected to the anchor lines, the lifting lines andlateral control lines and to the coupling and levelling jacks. All thecontrols are connected to the central control bridge 15. There is acontrol console in the bridge which gives a continuous reading of thepressures in all lines. The control bridge is at the top of the towerl5, and the operating console is at the bottom. There isintercommunication between the command post and the top of the tower 15to the operator at the console who manipulates the controls.

The outboard element G is provided at its inboard end with a pair ofhorns K and L, and the inboard element H is provided with pans M and Nat its outboard end, the pans being adapted to receive the horns K andL. Travelling jacks 39 and 41 are provided at the outboard end ofelement G for supporting this end of the element in a predeterminedposition above the bed.

The horns K and L are shaped first to engage, then to seat in the pans Mand N through the shape of the parts, and when the horns are seated inthe pans, a special coupling operation ensues with jacks bringing theelements completely together. The horns meet with the pans in such a wayas to force the horns by a camming action to bed down in the pans bothin the lateral and longitudinal direction of the element.

The structure of the horns and pans will be understood by the referenceto FIGS. 2 to 6 showing the horns and pans in place.

Depending on the size of the elements being handled, there can be asingle horn or a number of horns, and the mechanism can also be designedwith the horns removable so that they can be reused.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 6, a pan, M for example, has athrust-receiving front beam 36, sloping side walls 37, and a pair ofsloping front walls 39 separated by a passage 40 leading to the beam 36.The parts of the pan are of appropriate strength steel. The pan isembedded in the concrete or steel of the elementH.

The horn K in turn has a contact structure which complements that of thepan M. This includes side walls 41 and a sloping forward wall 42 andlongitudinally extending beams 43 on which these walls are mounted. Ajack 45 is carried on the floor of the horn, and the cradle is adaptedto thrust between the end wall 47 of the horn and the beam 36 of the panas the rod 48 extends through the opening 46 of the horn.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, a pair of tubes T protrude from the end of theelement G. Each tube tenninates in a collar 201 on which is mounted aplate 203 comprising a pair of gaskets W and X. The ring 201 can bereinforced concrete or steel, but must be water-tight.

The gasket W is an elongated member of rubber with a main body portion205 of circular cross-section provided with a central cavity 207 and aprotruding foot 209 having a flat outside face 211 which is juxtaposedto the plate 203 and bolted to it by bolts 204, as can be seen in FIG.8. Gasket X has a similar construction, up to a point, and similarnumbers have been given to its parts except that they have been raisedby 100. The difference in gasket X is that it has a protruding tongue311.

In operation, the element G is lowered by the cable mechanism controlledfrom the control tower 15. The entire complex is moved hydraulically onthe surface so that the inboard end of the element G is graduallybrought into position near the outboard end of the element H and thehorns K and L engaged in the pans M and N ready for final centering andalignment. At this point, the outboard end of the element G is supportedby hydraulic jacks (not shown) which are extended into contact withpreviously placed concrete pads on the bed of the body of water, andappropriate adjustment in elevation of the outboard end of the element Gis made.

The inboard end of the element G can be brought quite accurately intoproximity to the outboard end of the element H by manipulation of thehydraulic mechanism on the complex from the information given fromsurveyors on shore. When the inboard end of the element G is indicatedby the surveyors to be within 2 or 3 feet of the outboard end of theelement H, the exact position is usually checked by a diver and theelements moved closer, for example, within a foot and a half. At thispoint, contact can be made between the horns K and L and the pans M andN. From then on, the bringing into register of the ends of therespective elements is automatic by the camming action of the horns andpans and by the action of the jacks 45.

The camming action operates as follows. When any surface of the hornmakes contact with walls 37 or 39 *of the pan, that surface will beforced downward and inward into the pan because of the downward andinward shape of the walls of the pan. This action will continue untilthe walls 41 of the horn abut with the walls 37 of the pan and the wall42 of the horn abuts with the wall 39 of the pan. The weight of theelement G is transferred, through its horns K and L, to the element H,through its pans M and N. As the horns K and L cam into place in thepans M and N, the jacks 45 pull the ends of the elements G and Htogether.

The gaskets W and X work as follows: At the moment the element G isbrought into contact with the plate 303 on the element H, the jackingpressure compresses the tongue 31 1 so that an initial seal is achieved.There is a compartment between the bulkheads which is shut off fromoutside pressure. When valve 316 is opened in the bulkhead 315, itbrings into play the full hydraulic thrust to act on the element G toforce it into closer proximity with the element H and to compress thegaskets to about one-fifth of their original size. For example, a gasketX having a maximum dimension of 5% inches will be compressed under thetremendous hy draulic pressure to about 1 inch.

Once the elements G and H have been joined, and the temporary bulkheadsremoved, a plate 317 is welded across between the plates 203 and 303working from the inside in the dry. Then reinforced concrete is placedfrom the inside to fill the space over the joint so that from the insidethe joint is not evident at all.

There is generally a certain amount of cracking and leakage as thetunnel is bound to expand and crack to some extent. However, pumpingmeans, provided to evacuate the tunnel of water due to seepage into thetunnel, can also eliminate the water due to leakage.

The description has been keyed to elements employing a pair of couplinghorns and a complementary pair of pans. Depending on the size of theelements, a single horn could, in some instances, be employed inconjunction with a complementary pan, or more than two horns andcomplementary pans could be employed. As has been mentioned above, it isalso within the scope of the invention to have the pans on the inboardside of the element being placed to mate with horns on the outboard sideof the placed element.

Although one embodiment of the invention has been described above, thiswas for the purpose of illustrating, but not limiting, the invention.Various modifica tions which will come readily to the mind of oneskilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A method of sinking an element under water and connecting the elementto another element which is already placed under water, said elementscomprising;

at least one locating and engaging means projecting from one end of oneof said elements;

at least one mating locating and engaging means mounted on one end ofthe other of said elements; the elements being adapted to be coupled atthe one end thereof;

one of said locating and engaging means comprises a pair of inwardlysloping side walls and an inwardly sloping inward wall;

the other one of said locating and engaging means comprising a trougharrangement having a pair of inwardly sloping side walls and an inwardlysloping outward wall;

said walls of said one locating and engaging means forming a horn meansactable within said trough arrangement to cam the one locating andengaging means into register in said trough means in both lateral andaxial directions;

said mechanism further comprising a horn supporting structure forprojectingly supporting said horn means at one end of said secondelement;

said horn means extending from said supporting structure in thedirection of said trough arrangement;

and a cavity in the top surface of the other element for mounting saidtrough arrangement at one end of said first element;

lowering the element to be placed from a floatingsinking complex;

moving the complex with the elements suspended therefrom so that theelement to be placed is brought into proximity with the already placedelements;

disposing the elements relative to one another such that the horn of theone element extends into the trough of the other element; releasing theelement to be coupled from support from the complex whereby the cammingmeans is automatically brought into register by the action of gravityupon the element to be coupled;

subsequently applying pressure between the camming means of therespective elements to draw their ends together; and

making an opening in the bulkhead of the already placed elements toallow hydraulic pressure to squeeze the elements together.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 wherein the horn is projectinglysupported at the end of the element to be placed; and the pan is mountedon the coupling end of the already placed element.

3. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein the outward wall of said hornmeans comprises a thrustreceiving surface;

and where the inward wall of said trough arrangement comprises athrust-receiving surface;

and further comprising thrust-imparting means carried by the supportingstructure of said wedge means and adapted to impart thrust on both saidreceiving surfaces simultaneously;

wherein the step of applying pressure between the camming means isperformed by said thrustimparting means.

4. A method as defined in claim 3 wherein said thrust-imparting meanscomprises a jack.

1. A method of sinking an element under water and connecting the elementto another element which is already placed under water, said elementscomprising; at least one locating and engaging means projecting from oneend of one of said elements; at least one mating locating and engagingmeans mounted on one end of the other of said elements; the elementsbeing adapted to be coupled at the one end thereof; one of said locatingand engaging means comprises a pair of inwardly sloping side walls andan inwardly sloping inward wall; the other one of said locating andengaging means comprising a trough arrangement having a pair of inwardlysloping side walls and an inwardly sloping outward wall; said walls ofsaid one locating and engaging means forming a horn means actable withinsaid trough arrangement to cam the one locating and engaging means intoregister in said trough means in both lateral and axial directions; saidmechanism further comprising a horn supporting structure forprojectingly supporting said horn means at one end of said secondelement; said horn means extending from said supporting structure in thedirection of said trough arrangement; and a cavity in the top surface ofthe other element for mounting said trough arrangement at one end ofsaid first element; lowering the element to be placed from afloating-sinking complex; moving the complex with the elements suspendedtherefrom so that the element to be placed is brought into proximitywith the already placed elements; disposing the elements relative to oneanother such that the horn of the one element extends into the trough ofthe other element; releasing the element to be coupled from support fromthe complex whereby the camming means is automatically brought intoregister by the action of gravity upon the element to be coupled;subsequently applying pressure between the camming means of therespective elements to draw their ends together; and making an openingin the bulkhead of the already placed elements to allow hydraulicpressure to squeeze the elements together.
 2. A method as defined inclaim 1 wherein the horn is projectingly supported at the end of theelement to be placed; and the pan is mounted on the coupling end of thealready placed element.
 3. A method as defined in claim 2 wherein theoutward wall of said horn means comprises a thrust-receiving surface;and where the inward wall of said trough arrangement comprises athrust-receiving surface; and further comprising thrust-imparting meanscarried by the supporting structure of said wedge means and adapted toimpart thrust on both said receiving surfaces simultaneously; whereinthe step of applying pressure between the camming means is performed bysaid thrust-imparting means.
 4. A method as defined in claim 3 whereinsaid thrust-imparting means comprises a jack.